When “The King” calls, TOUR pros listen! Of the top 50 players in the OWGR, 34 of them are teeing it up this weekend at the API, including 24 of the top 30. Central Florida is known for its great bass fishing but you won’t have to go too deep this week to find quality players.

Of Course

Arnold Palmer’s layout has generous landing areas so the big boys will be able to use the big stick most of the time. They better take advantage of the large landing areas in the fairway as the Bermudagrass/Ryegrass rough is up to four inches. From the middle of the fairway they will be attacking well-bunkered and tiered greens that will be running around 12’ or faster, depending on the wind. We heard during the telecast last weekend of “shiny” Bermudagrass greens at Innisbrook. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear more of the same this week if the weather stays dry.

Over the last two years the bunkers have had a direct effect on the outcome on Sunday. In 2011 Steve Marino couldn’t deal with a fried-egg lie and Martin Laird capitalized. Last year, Graeme McDowell had the same issue and that allowed Tiger Woods to comfortably separate himself on the back nine. Jim Furyk and Trevor Immelman, who both finished T11, each had 13 bunker shots to execute! Woods only had four.

You’ll need to find guys who can bang GIR, get it up-and-down and are not afraid of Bermudagrass greens.

In 2010, the tournament was converted from par-71 to par-72 after Palmer’s redesign.

In the three installments since being shifted to par-72, the average winning score has been just over 10-under-par. Last year, there were exactly 14 rounds in the 60s on the WEEKEND. I better find some guys who can avoid bogeys and take advantage of the par-fives.

Omitting the rankings of the majors, Bay Hill ranked eighth-most difficult in 2012 and fifth-most difficult in both 2011 and 2010 so the boys will have their hands full this week in Central Florida.

“The King’s Court”

Tiger Woods: Seven times. That is all. Are you worried that Lindsey Vonn will be the issue of the day? I wouldn’t think so if they released those pictures purposely, which they did. That tells me he’s comfortable where he is in his life. He has two wins in four starts on U.S. soil. It doesn’t mean he WILL win this week but there’s no way I’m sitting on the sidelines like I stupidly did at Doral. Not the way he hit it there. Not the way he plays here.

Sergio Garcia: In 11 career events at Bay Hill, Garcia has racked up six, top 10 finishes so it’s obvious that he is comfortable around “The King”. He’s played two events on the “Florida Swing” and has finished T3 at Doral and T7 last week at Tampa. He’s been excellent on tough courses and easy courses so that shows me he’s dialed in. He’s on my very short list for my one-and-done player.

Justin Rose: The “Florida Swing” has always been good to Rose and this year is no different with T4 at The Honda Classic and T8 at Doral. His ball-striking is excellent and his confidence should be up after finishes of T15 last year and T3 in 2011. Any field he’s in, he’s on this list.

Graeme McDowell: GMAC had a busy weekend last weekend opening his new Nona Blue Tavern and with St. Patrick’s Day on Sunday, he’s looking to keep the luck of the Northern Irish flourishing this week. After hitting the quarterfinals of WGC-Match Play, GMAC has kept it rolling with a T9 finish at The Honda Classic and T3 at Doral his last time out. He was in the final group with Woods last year here and last time out at Doral so he’s getting used to it. He’ll have no problem grinding if the conditions require that. He was also T2 in 2005 so that’s two top twos in five tries. Not bad at all. He’s my other candidate for one-and-done. Stay tuned!

Keegan Bradley: After bowing out in the first round of Match Play, Bradley rebounded to finish T4 at The Honda Classic and T7 at Doral. Do you see a pattern developing here? Yep, guys who are playing well and playing well in Florida. The only knock on Bradley is that he shot 78-77 here as a rookie in 2011. He’s accomplished quite a few things since that March back in 2011 so I’m not worried about it. He hits it a mile; he hits GIR and he putts and scrambles it. Oh, and he kills par-fives.

Ian Poulter: If you are worrying about his form entering the week, I wouldn’t. He’s proved over the years that he can flip the switch for his “home game” in Orlando. In 2011, he finished T36 at The Honda and T45 before his T12 at API. Last year, his best finish in his opening four events was T33 (first round loss) at Match Play. He backed that up with a third-place finish in Orlando. Don’t look at his history beyond the last two years at API though as it’s not what you would expect! Live in the kinda-now!

Jim Furyk: I never hesitate to include Furyk when tough courses are the order of the day. He’s proven over the last couple of years that he’ll be right there at the finish on the toughest tracks on TOUR. His last three starts at Bay Hill have been T11, T9 and T11. His T7 last week has done nothing to put me off this week either.

Bubba Watson: He’s made the cut in four out of five to start 2013 while remodeling Woods’ old house in Iselworth and trying to adopt another child. Last year, he bought the General Lee before he adopted his first child. Oh, and he made the “Golf Boyz” video. He’s also done that again recently. Does this mean he’s going to win the Masters again? All I know is distractions DO NOT BOTHER this man. His worst finish in the four cuts (of five) he’s made in 2013 is T18. He was T4 here last year in the midst of all of that. #urwelcome.

Peter Hanson: Ever since posting 80 in the third round at Riviera the Swede has played six of his last eight rounds under par to finish T13 at The Honda Classic and T8 at Doral. He’s only played once at Bay Hill and was MC in 2011. I’ll ride the current Florida form over the history at the course.

Brandt Snedeker: If there is any golfer that you should not fear after returning from injury it is Brandt Snedeker. He opened 2012 after hip surgery by firing a first round 64 at the Humana en route to an eighth-place finish. The following week he won at Torrey Pines. Later in that same season, he WD from the Memorial with a rib issue. His first tournament back he fired three of four rounds under par and in his next tournament, The Open Championship, he was T3. He returns this week from another rib injury but the history says it shouldn’t be a major factor.

When “The King” calls, TOUR pros listen! Of the top 50 players in the OWGR, 34 of them are teeing it up this weekend at the API, including 24 of the top 30. Central Florida is known for its great bass fishing but you won’t have to go too deep this week to find quality players.

Of Course

Arnold Palmer’s layout has generous landing areas so the big boys will be able to use the big stick most of the time. They better take advantage of the large landing areas in the fairway as the Bermudagrass/Ryegrass rough is up to four inches. From the middle of the fairway they will be attacking well-bunkered and tiered greens that will be running around 12’ or faster, depending on the wind. We heard during the telecast last weekend of “shiny” Bermudagrass greens at Innisbrook. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear more of the same this week if the weather stays dry.

Over the last two years the bunkers have had a direct effect on the outcome on Sunday. In 2011 Steve Marino couldn’t deal with a fried-egg lie and Martin Laird capitalized. Last year, Graeme McDowell had the same issue and that allowed Tiger Woods to comfortably separate himself on the back nine. Jim Furyk and Trevor Immelman, who both finished T11, each had 13 bunker shots to execute! Woods only had four.

You’ll need to find guys who can bang GIR, get it up-and-down and are not afraid of Bermudagrass greens.

In 2010, the tournament was converted from par-71 to par-72 after Palmer’s redesign.

In the three installments since being shifted to par-72, the average winning score has been just over 10-under-par. Last year, there were exactly 14 rounds in the 60s on the WEEKEND. I better find some guys who can avoid bogeys and take advantage of the par-fives.

Omitting the rankings of the majors, Bay Hill ranked eighth-most difficult in 2012 and fifth-most difficult in both 2011 and 2010 so the boys will have their hands full this week in Central Florida.

“The King’s Court”

Tiger Woods: Seven times. That is all. Are you worried that Lindsey Vonn will be the issue of the day? I wouldn’t think so if they released those pictures purposely, which they did. That tells me he’s comfortable where he is in his life. He has two wins in four starts on U.S. soil. It doesn’t mean he WILL win this week but there’s no way I’m sitting on the sidelines like I stupidly did at Doral. Not the way he hit it there. Not the way he plays here.

Sergio Garcia: In 11 career events at Bay Hill, Garcia has racked up six, top 10 finishes so it’s obvious that he is comfortable around “The King”. He’s played two events on the “Florida Swing” and has finished T3 at Doral and T7 last week at Tampa. He’s been excellent on tough courses and easy courses so that shows me he’s dialed in. He’s on my very short list for my one-and-done player.

Justin Rose: The “Florida Swing” has always been good to Rose and this year is no different with T4 at The Honda Classic and T8 at Doral. His ball-striking is excellent and his confidence should be up after finishes of T15 last year and T3 in 2011. Any field he’s in, he’s on this list.

Graeme McDowell: GMAC had a busy weekend last weekend opening his new Nona Blue Tavern and with St. Patrick’s Day on Sunday, he’s looking to keep the luck of the Northern Irish flourishing this week. After hitting the quarterfinals of WGC-Match Play, GMAC has kept it rolling with a T9 finish at The Honda Classic and T3 at Doral his last time out. He was in the final group with Woods last year here and last time out at Doral so he’s getting used to it. He’ll have no problem grinding if the conditions require that. He was also T2 in 2005 so that’s two top twos in five tries. Not bad at all. He’s my other candidate for one-and-done. Stay tuned!

Keegan Bradley: After bowing out in the first round of Match Play, Bradley rebounded to finish T4 at The Honda Classic and T7 at Doral. Do you see a pattern developing here? Yep, guys who are playing well and playing well in Florida. The only knock on Bradley is that he shot 78-77 here as a rookie in 2011. He’s accomplished quite a few things since that March back in 2011 so I’m not worried about it. He hits it a mile; he hits GIR and he putts and scrambles it. Oh, and he kills par-fives.

Ian Poulter: If you are worrying about his form entering the week, I wouldn’t. He’s proved over the years that he can flip the switch for his “home game” in Orlando. In 2011, he finished T36 at The Honda and T45 before his T12 at API. Last year, his best finish in his opening four events was T33 (first round loss) at Match Play. He backed that up with a third-place finish in Orlando. Don’t look at his history beyond the last two years at API though as it’s not what you would expect! Live in the kinda-now!

Jim Furyk: I never hesitate to include Furyk when tough courses are the order of the day. He’s proven over the last couple of years that he’ll be right there at the finish on the toughest tracks on TOUR. His last three starts at Bay Hill have been T11, T9 and T11. His T7 last week has done nothing to put me off this week either.

Bubba Watson: He’s made the cut in four out of five to start 2013 while remodeling Woods’ old house in Iselworth and trying to adopt another child. Last year, he bought the General Lee before he adopted his first child. Oh, and he made the “Golf Boyz” video. He’s also done that again recently. Does this mean he’s going to win the Masters again? All I know is distractions DO NOT BOTHER this man. His worst finish in the four cuts (of five) he’s made in 2013 is T18. He was T4 here last year in the midst of all of that. #urwelcome.

Peter Hanson: Ever since posting 80 in the third round at Riviera the Swede has played six of his last eight rounds under par to finish T13 at The Honda Classic and T8 at Doral. He’s only played once at Bay Hill and was MC in 2011. I’ll ride the current Florida form over the history at the course.

Brandt Snedeker: If there is any golfer that you should not fear after returning from injury it is Brandt Snedeker. He opened 2012 after hip surgery by firing a first round 64 at the Humana en route to an eighth-place finish. The following week he won at Torrey Pines. Later in that same season, he WD from the Memorial with a rib issue. His first tournament back he fired three of four rounds under par and in his next tournament, The Open Championship, he was T3. He returns this week from another rib injury but the history says it shouldn’t be a major factor.

Don’t Overlook

These guys just missed out on the premium list but should not be dismissed this week.

Webb Simpson: He’s quietly gone about his business this year and has used multiple caddies. I say quietly because he’s only hit the top 10 twice in eight events so far. More is expected of the U.S. Open champion but putting things in perspective, his worst finish is only T26. He’s close, folks! He’s three out of six at API and his best finish is T11 in 2009 or he would be ranked higher.

Hunter Mahan: He’s made seven of nine cuts here and his 10th time around Bay Hill might be the one. He’s currently 11th in GIR and 14th in strokes-gained putting. Combine that with accuracy off the tee and he could contend this week. He’s seven-for-seven on the year with six top 25s. Enough, I’m sold.

Phil Mickelson: Same Phil, different week. Good luck kids! In his last three tournaments here he has two rounds in the 60s yet his finishes are T30, T24 and T24 last year. So, um, yeah. He’s already won and T3 this year along with being T51 and T60. He has to be on here somewhere!

Ryan Moore: Another puzzler this week, Moore has struggled on the early part of the “Florida Swing” as he has one round under par in six played. But once you put him on Bay Hill, look out! The last three seasons he’s finished T40, T12 and T4 last year so if he’s going to break out of a funk, this looks to be the place.

Jimmy Walker: He returned to action last week after taking some time off to be with his wife, Erin, who gave birth to their second child. He was only four off the lead heading to Sunday before a final round 73 knocked him back to T30. Not bad after taking three weeks off. He was T24 here last year and has been playing some solid golf.

Chris Kirk: He’s fourth in the all-around ranking and eighth in strokes gained-putting and that’s what has helped him post two top-five finishes in 2013. He’s only teed it up here once, but if you can hit the ball in the fairway and putt like does, he can be in the mix come the weekend.

Jason Day: He’s got bags of talent (this is a recording) but his next step is to get the big round off the card during the four days. His short game will come in handy this week around and on these greens. The faster, the better for him! It doesn’t hurt that he eats up par-fives either!

Ernie Els: “The Big Easy’s” form hasn’t been off to the flying start that we saw at this time last year and his WD last week with a hip injury doesn’t help. But his 2010 victory and his T4 finish last year shows me that this might be the week he puts it all together. He’s won here twice so I’m expecting big things.

Lee Westwood: Here’s another guy who has no problem making pars all day who strikes the golf ball consistently. I was disappointed on the way he finished at The Honda Classic but he should enough greens this week to factor come the weekend.

Graham DeLaet: He’s made six cuts in eight events to start 2013 and five of those finishes have resulted in top 25s, including four straight. He finished up last Sunday with a very solid 67 at Tampa so I’ll jump on the hot hand even though it’s his first time at Bay Hill.

Boo Weekley: Speaking of the hot hand, Weekley blistered The Copperhead Course last Sunday to the tune of 63, the lowest round of the week at Tampa, to finish second. He has three top 25s in the last six years at Bay Hill so I wouldn’t hesitate this week to include him.

Charles Howell III: He’s having a very nice, steady start to 2013 and his play in Florida has been solid with T29 at The Honda and T12 at Doral. He’s made 10 of 12 at Bay Hill including four straight of T38 or better. He sprays the ball off the tee but the generous landing areas can help with that this week!

Off the Beaten Path

Either “horse-for-course” or guys off the radar

Stewart Cink: This will be his 14th trip around this course so he should know all the nooks and crannies. He’s looking to build on his 68-68-68 finish last week in Tampa as he was one of three players to fire both weekend rounds in the 60s. The other two were the winner and T4. Hot is hot.

Lucas Glover: He hasn’t played here since 2009 but in the three events has teed it up, he’s been over par in just two of 12 rounds. His finishes were T17 in 2006, T41 in 2008 and T11 in 2009. His T4 at The Honda and T38 last weekend haven’t exactly scared me off.

Brian Davis: He’s made six of seven cuts here in his career and has posted T24 (2010), T12 (2011) and T4 last year in his last three. The Orlando resident obviously likes this home game. He needs to jump-start a season where he’s missed four of six cuts and has a WD. High risk, high reward here.

Bob Estes: He’s made all six cuts here and four of those have resulted in T17 or better. He blew up with 79 in the first round at Tampa last week but he’s 28th in scoring this year. Value.

Zach Johnson: Gulp. His last four rounds on TOUR in Florida are 77-75-77-76. The good news? This will be his 10th consecutive appearance at API and he’s made the cut in eight of his previous nine attempts including T6, T8, third and T11 last year. I wouldn’t overpay for him but I’m not writing him completely off either.

Deep Sleepers

I added this feature this week because with deep fields, you get deep sleepers. These are guys who are for entertainment purposes only and will be high risk for high reward in deep weekly drafts and salary games.

Ben Kohles: Every fairway and he can really putt it. He was T7 last week in Tampa.

Brendan Steele: He’s made six cuts on the bounce and can also putt it a bit. He’s rounding into shape for Valero in two weeks!

Brian Stuard: If you know that Brian Stuard is second on TOUR with three top 10 finishes, you’ve been reading this column. He’s played seven events and made seven cuts.

Robert Streb: It’s a big week for the ST boys (Steele, Stuard and Streb)! He’s made three on the bounce and will learn from his 75 last Sunday in Tampa when he was just four shots out of first. His weakness is driving accuracy but that shouldn’t be a huge factor this week.

Henrik Stenson: Two tournaments, all 68s and 69s minus two 73s. He’s played four here and made four cuts including T12 last year.

Rookie of the Week Last Week

I keep an eye on the youngin’s each week to see who is making the most noise.

Ned Brown is a long-time contributor for Rotoworld Golf. He’s had documented success in Yahoo!’s game for years. Even if you’re confident in your selections for that game, give his insight a read. Ned also provides us with his GolfChannel.com Fantasy Challenge selections as well!

GROUP A

Tiger Woods: The theme this year for Tiger is that he is winning on courses where he has multiple victories. He is a seven-time winner at Bay Hill and everyone is going to be playing him this weekend.

Justin Rose: Rose has notched three top 8 finishes in four worldwide stroke-play events this year and he has played well at Bay Hill recently with a T3 in '11 and a T15 last year.

Jim Furyk: I thought Furyk looked pretty good last week in his T7 finish in Tampa and he has a good recent history at the API with a T11 in '10. a T9 in '11 and a T11 last year.

Keegan Bradley: He has been hot recently with T4 at The Honda and a seventh place at Doral. He missed the cut in his only start at the API, so he is about playing the hot golfer.

Peter Hanson: Normally I would be using Ernie Els in this spot, but he is coming off a hip injury, so I'm going with Peter Hanson. Like Keegan Bradley, Hanson has missed the cut in his only start at Bay Hill, but he has played well in Florida with a T13 at The Honda and a T8 at Doral.

Lee Westwood: Westwood has top 25 finishes in his last three stroke-play events, including a T9 at The Honda Classic. In recent years, he hasn't played at Bay Hill, but in his second to last start here in '06 he did finish in fifth place.

Ian Poulter: He has played in only three tournaments this season, but he has played well and has recorded a pair of top 10 finishes. His recent history at the API has been very good with a T12 in '11 and a third place last year.

And the analysis doesn't end here. Rotoworld's Rob Bolton and I will be co-hosting a one-hour live chat WEDNESDAY at NOON ET. We will be breaking down the field at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and answering your questions. Simply return to the golf home page to join in on the chatter.